3 nights - how to split between HK and Macau
Dec 30, 2015, 12:33 pm
#31
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,592
Not to hijack but I've got 3 nights in HK for end of March too. We get in from lax on 3/28 and leave to bali on 3/31.
I was thinking of doing first two nights in HK at the Intercontinental, I have about 100k pts (rooms are 50k pts/night) and plat status from the IHG cc. Seems like a harbour view room is the way to go, last two times I've stayed at IHG properties (dublin IC and San Diego - Indigo) I've gotten upgrades to some pretty amazing suites. Not sure if this is typical but I suspect my chances of getting an upgrade are pretty good this time of year right?
I was thinking of doing first two nights in HK at the Intercontinental, I have about 100k pts (rooms are 50k pts/night) and plat status from the IHG cc. Seems like a harbour view room is the way to go, last two times I've stayed at IHG properties (dublin IC and San Diego - Indigo) I've gotten upgrades to some pretty amazing suites. Not sure if this is typical but I suspect my chances of getting an upgrade are pretty good this time of year right?
Received from the hotel earlier this year :
By considering your Platinum membership status, we are pleased to offer room upgrade to InterContinental Harbour View Room at daily supplement charge of HKD900 plus 10% service charge per room per night for this visit. Access to Club InterContinental will be at daily supplement of HKD1080 plus 10% service charge per room per night for single occupancy or HKD1380 plus 10% service charge per room per night for double occupancy.
Aug 8, 2016, 1:29 am
#32
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Gold Country, California
Programs: Hilton Gold, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,200
Absolutely do an overnight trip. You have plenty of time in Hong Kong so can afford to spend a night in Macao. It is preferable to stay overnight there so you don't have such a burdensome and time constrained journey back and forth on a single day, and since you have the points...wth...
I am not a huge fan of Macao, but you might as well check it out since you have the time and the points.
I would probably put it as my last day, since I would travel from Macao right to HKG airport directly, instead of landing in HKG.
I am not a huge fan of Macao, but you might as well check it out since you have the time and the points. I would probably put it as my last day, since I would travel from Macao right to HKG airport directly, instead of landing in HKG.
Aug 9, 2016, 9:51 am
#35
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Left
Programs: FT
Posts: 7,285
that was pretty much my assessment and with my family, i have avoided going through the logistics of getting to and back with them until this trip i have in HKG for work...
Aug 14, 2016, 9:47 am
#36
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Gold Country, California
Programs: Hilton Gold, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,200
Thank you. I have a bad habit of moving from hotel to hotel while on vacation whether it be due to promos or trying to cram seeing everything into the trip. Sounds like Macau can be done in a daytrip, so that's what we shall do. Was a little nervous about leaving there to get to HKG for the morning flight anyway. So just 2 hotels for 7 nights this trip, I am keeping things simple!
Aug 14, 2016, 5:36 pm
#37
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan, Flying Blue Gold, Accor Silver, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 667
I'm in a similar situation as I will be heading to HKG following the Tokyo and Seoul do next Easter. I am going to be in HKG for 6 nights and was planning to make 2 of those nights (the first 2) in Macau.
Some questions:
1. I see that I can take a ferry right from HKIA to Macau. Do they run often and do I need to pre-purchase my ticket? The link posted a bit earlier in the thread shows just 4 departures. That's not much. Any other options?
2. Also in the thread, someone said that if I have checked luggage, I just need to give my tag?? I don't need to claim my luggage first?
3. Some hotels in my price range include the Sofitel in pier 16, The Venetian and the Sheraton. All look nice and are 5*. A bit worried that the Sofitel in not in the resort area, but is closer to the older part of town. I like to gamble (Craps), but also like to walk around/shop. Any recommendation. I'm currently platinum with Accor, but expect to lose it come this September.
Planning to be in Macau Thursday and Friday nights.
Thanks for your advise! This is my first visit to Asia, other than Japan once before.
Some questions:
1. I see that I can take a ferry right from HKIA to Macau. Do they run often and do I need to pre-purchase my ticket? The link posted a bit earlier in the thread shows just 4 departures. That's not much. Any other options?
2. Also in the thread, someone said that if I have checked luggage, I just need to give my tag?? I don't need to claim my luggage first?
3. Some hotels in my price range include the Sofitel in pier 16, The Venetian and the Sheraton. All look nice and are 5*. A bit worried that the Sofitel in not in the resort area, but is closer to the older part of town. I like to gamble (Craps), but also like to walk around/shop. Any recommendation. I'm currently platinum with Accor, but expect to lose it come this September.
Planning to be in Macau Thursday and Friday nights.
Thanks for your advise! This is my first visit to Asia, other than Japan once before.
Last edited by wysiwyg; Aug 14, 2016 at 5:44 pm
Aug 16, 2016, 1:02 am
#38
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,589
1. ferry from HKIA to Macau does not run often, varies by day but 4 departures is not implausible. When I used it there was 3+ hours between ferries; contrast this with Hong Kong city to Macau ferries that run several times per hour.
2. You buy ticket (in transit area) and give the luggage tag then and bags are magically rerouted onto the boat. You get them at Macau baggage claim.
3. Venetian and Sheraton are nicer than the Sofitel, also have casinos an elevator ride away. There is maybe 1 craps table in all of Macau (not much of an exaggeration), best to learn to like Baccarat or Pai Gow or other chinese games. Also minimum bets can be quite high (USD 100 and up is not uncommon).
4. If you are expecting a Vegas experience, then maybe Macau is not for you. The Sheraton does have excellent club rooms and suites and a great pool when not crowded.
2. You buy ticket (in transit area) and give the luggage tag then and bags are magically rerouted onto the boat. You get them at Macau baggage claim.
3. Venetian and Sheraton are nicer than the Sofitel, also have casinos an elevator ride away. There is maybe 1 craps table in all of Macau (not much of an exaggeration), best to learn to like Baccarat or Pai Gow or other chinese games. Also minimum bets can be quite high (USD 100 and up is not uncommon).
4. If you are expecting a Vegas experience, then maybe Macau is not for you. The Sheraton does have excellent club rooms and suites and a great pool when not crowded.
Aug 16, 2016, 3:42 am
#39
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan, Flying Blue Gold, Accor Silver, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 667
Thanks number_6, that is very useful. This might change my plans, especially if craps is nearly non existent there and the minimums are so high. I'm used to $5 tables in Vegas. Maybe one night might be enough after all or just a day trip.
Aug 17, 2016, 3:20 am
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Sydney Australia
Programs: No programs & No Points!!!
Posts: 14,222
1. ferry from HKIA to Macau does not run often, varies by day but 4 departures is not implausible. When I used it there was 3+ hours between ferries; contrast this with Hong Kong city to Macau ferries that run several times per hour.
2. You buy ticket (in transit area) and give the luggage tag then and bags are magically rerouted onto the boat. You get them at Macau baggage claim.
3. Venetian and Sheraton are nicer than the Sofitel, also have casinos an elevator ride away. There is maybe 1 craps table in all of Macau (not much of an exaggeration), best to learn to like Baccarat or Pai Gow or other chinese games. Also minimum bets can be quite high (USD 100 and up is not uncommon).
4. If you are expecting a Vegas experience, then maybe Macau is not for you. The Sheraton does have excellent club rooms and suites and a great pool when not crowded.
2. You buy ticket (in transit area) and give the luggage tag then and bags are magically rerouted onto the boat. You get them at Macau baggage claim.
3. Venetian and Sheraton are nicer than the Sofitel, also have casinos an elevator ride away. There is maybe 1 craps table in all of Macau (not much of an exaggeration), best to learn to like Baccarat or Pai Gow or other chinese games. Also minimum bets can be quite high (USD 100 and up is not uncommon).
4. If you are expecting a Vegas experience, then maybe Macau is not for you. The Sheraton does have excellent club rooms and suites and a great pool when not crowded.
I didn't stay at the Venetian but I did look up their rooms online and they do look stunning. It looks like a suite is their lowest room. Choose the Venetian if you like being overrun with tourists. The place was absolutely packed mid afternoon when we stopped gambling to get a bite to eat.
Aug 17, 2016, 7:30 am
#41
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Left
Programs: FT
Posts: 7,285
number_6, does one really need to learn to play Baccarat? i mean, the odds are pretty as is and they play for you so what is there to learn? bet banker or player and see what happens....although i would always bet on banker...
[BTW my trip to Macau is now is purely to see the historical sights at this point...i am staying one night at the Mandarin since our corporate program gets me a very nice rate...i did originally consider a little gambling but that went out the window with high limits and totally different culture from what i have read.]
[oh..recent article...http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/e...o-tycoon-steve i am clearly NOT the person that Macau wants stepping in their casinos...]
Last edited by mkjr; Aug 17, 2016 at 10:17 am
Aug 17, 2016, 4:34 pm
#42
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan, Flying Blue Gold, Accor Silver, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 667
I didn't stay at the Venetian but I did look up their rooms online and they do look stunning. It looks like a suite is their lowest room. Choose the Venetian if you like being overrun with tourists. The place was absolutely packed mid afternoon when we stopped gambling to get a bite to eat.
So I guess Macau is more like Monte Carlo (but in a larger scale), with table games for serious players, rather than the casual gambler coming from the street?
I'm no longer a big fan of Vegas, after having gone there at least 16 times, it's become too much of a party town with just people looking to party/get drunk on free booze...not the Vegas I remember from the 80's/90's when people actually went there to gamble and maybe catch a cheap buffet or 99c steak & egg breakfast
. Was hoping Macau would be more authentic, but if I need a $1000 nightly bank roll just to approach a table, it's not for me! Is the weather warm in mid April to at least enjoy the pools?
Aug 20, 2016, 2:31 am
#43
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,589
April is 20-25C which is pretty warm (compared to YYZ). Fine pool weather, I was there in May and quite lovely though not hot. As for the minimum bankroll, the scale is quite astonishing. The jeweler at my hotel had on display numerous necklaces with prices of USD 1 million and up. They also had a solid gold life size Winnie the pooh statue for even more. A different world.